Wire-stretcher.



No. 767,897. PATBNTBD AUG. `16, 1904.

J. H. LADD.

WIRE STRETGHER.

APPLIGATION FILED Nov. 7. 190s.

N0 IODEL.

a@ WM witnesses UNITED STATES Patented August 16, 1904.

PATENT GEEICE.

WIRE-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 767,897, dated August 16, 1904. Application led November 7, 1903. Serial No. 180,241. (No model.)

To nfl whom, it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN H. LADD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fontanelle, in the countyof Washington and State of Nebraska, have invented new and useful Improvements in Wire-Stretchers, of which the following' is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in wire-stretchers; and its object is to provide a simple, durable, and inexpensive device which is formed of few parts and which can be readily manipulated for the purpose of stretching wires.

The invention consists in providing a lever having claws at the ends thereof, and slidably mounted upon the lever is a ring having an arm pivoted thereto and provided with a claw at its outer end.

The invention also consists in the further novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of the device in use and showing the manner of drawing a wire thereby into proper position upon a post. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the device used for drawing together two ends of a wire. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the wire-stretcher.

Referring to the figures` by numerals of reference, l is a tube of any suitable length and having a claw 2 at one end thereof, said cla-w being secured in position in any suitable manner, as by means of a pinfB, adapted to engage a shank extending intoy and from the claw. A yoke 4 is provided at the outer end of the tube, and 'this yoke is adapted to be secured thereto in the same manner as is the claw 2. A ring 5 is slidably mounted upon the tube 1 and has its ends bent outward to form parallel ears 6, which are connected by a bolt 7. Upon this `bolt is pivoted an arm 8, having a claw 9 extending at an angle from its free end.

In using the device herein described for drawing wire into proper position upon a fence-post the yoke 4 is placed in contact with the post and the claw 9 is placed in en? gagement with a knot or barb upon the wire to be drawn. The tube l is then drawn downward and will draw the wire longitudinally,

as is obvious, and the lower end of the tube can be slid upward a desired `distance during this drawing operation and can be finally movedY into a horizontal position, where it can be readily held by one end while the wire is being secured to the post. lt will be understood that the ring 5 can be adjusted to any desired point upon the tube and will bind thereon when a pull is exerted' upon the arm 8. When it is desired to join two ends of a wire, the ring 5 is moved intoposition adjacent one of the ends of the tube and the claws 2 and 9 are placed in engagement with the endsof the wire, The tube l is then swung backward, so as to draw the `claws toward each other, and when the ends have been overlapped a suitable distance they can be twisted together in any suitable manner.

It will be seen that the device is extremely simple, durable, and inexpensive in construction and can be readily handled in view of its extreme lightness. Y

While the part 1 has been described as formed in a tube, it will be understood that the same can be made of a solid bar of metal, wood, or other material.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In a wire-stretcher, the combination with a lever having claws extending from one end, and a yoke extending from the other end; of a ring slidably mounted upon the lever and having ears projecting therefrom, an arm pivoted between the ears, and a claw extending from and integral with the arm.

2. In a wire-stretcher, the combination with a tubular lever having claws and a yoke at opposite ends respectively, shanks extending from the claws and yoke and into the ends of the lever, and means for securing the Shanks within the lever;I of a ring slidablyl mounted upon the lever, an arm pivoted thereto, and claws extending from the arm.

In testimony whereof I aiIix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN H. LADD. 

